The Public Service Commission (PSC) has called on all Queensland’s Public Servants to complete the 2021 Workforce Diversity Census to provide it with accurate workforce data about diversity in the State’s Public Service.
In a statement, the PSC said the Census consisted of a questionnaire concerning gender, disability, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, Australian South Sea Islander descent and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“The information you provide is used for statistical purposes only and in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009,” the Commission said.
“No information identifying you is disclosed to any Agency or person,” it said.
“Even if you have provided diversity information in the past, we still want all Government employees to review and update their diversity information.”
The Commission said it had updated the questions for this year’s Census to better align with national standards, contemporary language and broadening definitions.
“Diversity definitions have been expanded to allow Australian South Sea Islanders to identify as a distinct cultural group,” it said.
“Therefore, if your cultural heritage comprises of two or three distinct cultural groups, such as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or South Sea Islander, the categories have been updated to allow you to make multiple selections that better reflect who you are.”
The PSC said the Census now had three gender options to select from — man, woman, or non-binary person.
“The option you select can be the same or different from what’s recorded as your sex under your payroll information,” it said.
“Sex and gender are often used interchangeably, however, this is not accurate.
“Sex refers to sex characteristics observed at birth or infancy; gender is a social and cultural concept.”
The PSC said it had also replaced the non-English speaking background (NESB) question with two new questions about culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
“We will not carry forward any previously-collected NESB data, so you must nominate your CALD background again if you want it included in our data,” the Commission said.
Further information on the Workforce Diversity Census can be accessed at this PS News link.
